Thursday, December 3, 2009

Urgent action for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma

Urgent action for crimes against humanity and war crimes in BurmaFor many years the United Nations has ignored widespread and systematic crimes committed by Burma’s military junta, including the destruction of more than 3,300 villages in eastern Burma, widespread use of rape as a weapon of war against ethnic minorities, the forced displacement of over 1 million refugees and internally displaced people, tens of thousands of child soldiers, and millions used as slave labour.Despite these appalling crimes, no government is speaking out on this issue. The British Government should urge the United Nations to establish a Commission of Inquiry, which would investigate these crimes and could lead to prosecutions. So far the British Government has remained silent.Please write to your MP and ask them to support the call for the United Nations to investigate crimes against humanity in Burma. Take action here:http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/campaigns/crimes-against-humanity/13/132Or you can post a letter to your MP. Below are suggested points for you to include in your letter:* State your concern about crimes against humanity in Burma. There is well documented evidence including from UN General Assembly and Commission on Human Rights resolutions over many years of widespread torture, forced displacement, sexual violence, extra-judicial killings and forced labour and that civilians are deliberately targeted.* For many years, the United Nations has ignored widespread and systematic human rights violations and war crimes committed by the military regime.* Ask your MP to sign Early Day Motion 238, which calls upon the British Government to urge the United Nations to establish a Commission of Inquiry into these crimes and to support the International Labour Organization referring the dictatorship’s use of forced labour to the International Court of Justice.You can send your letter to your MP at:House of CommonsLondon, SW1A 0AACampaign UpdateOur campaign for a global arms embargo is working! Thanks to your emails, momentum for a global arms embargo against Burma is growing as Timor-Leste becomes the 32nd country, and the first Asian country, to back an arms embargo. Switzerland also announced its support for a global arms embargo against Burma in October and in August, Australia announced its support for a global arms embargo for the first time.We need to build a global consensus on a UN arms embargo against Burma, in order to help overcome expected opposition at the Security Council by Russia and China. We are targeting 10 countries at time, asking them to support a global arms embargo. Please take action here:www.burmacampaign.org.uk/arms-embargoAung San Suu Kyi updateIn recent weeks, Aung San Suu Kyi has managed to use sanctions as leverage to persuade the Generals to resume dialogue. She met the regime’s Liaison Minister twice in October and she also met the UK Ambassador and the deputy heads of the Australian and US missions in Burma. However, so far it has only been low level officials talking about talks. Meanwhile, the number of political prisoners is rising. There are currently more than 2,100 political prisoners and at least 128 political prisoners are in poor health due to the harsh prison conditions, transfers to remote prisons where there are no doctors, and the denial of proper medical care. The dictatorship has also increased arrests and harassment of democracy activists, and is escalating attacks against ethnic civilians. Want monthly news updates on Burma?Sign up to our free monthly newsletter Last Month in Burma. To subscribe, simply send a blank email to lastmonth-subscribe@lists.burmacampaign.org.ukPrevious editions are available here:http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/lastmonthMany thanks for your support.Anna RobertsThe Burma Campaign UKSupport our work: Donate to the Burma Campaign UK and make a difference today. You can be sure your donation will make a difference. Supporting the Burma Campaign UK is one of the most effective ways of supporting the struggle to free Burma. Donate now: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/donateWas this email forwarded to you by a friend? If you are not already a member of the Burma Campaign UK e-mail network, and would like to receive these updates directly, you can subscribe by sending a blank e-mail to: burmacampaign-subscribe@lists.burmacampaign.org.ukTo unsubscribe from this email list, send a blank email to: burmacampaign-unsubscribe@lists.burmacampaign.org.uk The Burma Campaign UKRegistered Company No. 3804730Registered office address28 Charles SquareLondon N1 6HT